Marc Rovner’s Guide to Specialized Title Coverage Worth Considering

While basic title insurance provides essential protection against ownership claims, many homebuyers remain unaware of specialized coverage options that address specific property risks beyond standard policy provisions.

Premium Policy Upgrades Available

Standard title insurance guards against specific ownership threats discovered after closing, but premium policies expand this coverage to include additional risks that standard policies typically exclude. These enhanced options might protect against building permit violations, covenant compliance issues, boundary problems discovered after policy issuance, and even post-closing fraud attempts targeting your property. Marc Rovner recommends evaluating these enhanced options based on your specific property type and risk tolerance, as they provide substantially stronger protection for a relatively modest additional premium.

Boundary Protection That Prevents Neighbor Disputes

Many standard policies exclude coverage for problems that would have been revealed by a proper survey, leaving homeowners vulnerable to expensive boundary disputes with adjacent properties. Dedicated survey endorsements eliminate this coverage gap, protecting you against unexpected issues like encroachments, improperly located structures, or easement violations that might otherwise fall outside your basic policy protection. These additions prove particularly valuable for rural properties with complex boundaries or older urban homes where property lines might have become complicated through decades of development.

Road Access Protection

Consider the nightmare scenario of purchasing property only to discover you lack legal right-of-way to reach it – a situation that standard policies might not fully address. Specific access endorsements guarantee your property maintains proper legal access from public roads, protecting against unexpected easement problems or right-of-way disputes that could dramatically impact your property’s usability and value. Marc Rovner particularly suggests these endorsements for properties with shared driveways, unusual access arrangements, or rural locations where access routes might cross multiple neighboring parcels.

Renovation Project Coverage

Homebuyers planning major property improvements face unique title risks that standard policies might inadequately cover. Specialized construction endorsements protect against contractor liens, permit compliance issues, and other construction-related title problems that might develop during major renovation projects. Marc Rovner advises clients undertaking substantial property improvements to discuss these specialized protections with their title provider, as they provide critical safeguards during periods when your property undergoes significant changes that might attract claims or complications affecting your ownership rights.